Morocco beat South Africa to reach WAFCON semi-finals and qualify for 2027 World Cup

Morocco secured a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and booked their place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 after beating former champions South Africa 2-1 in a tense quarter-final on Saturday.

The Atlas Lionesses took advantage of home support to claim a landmark victory and keep alive their hopes of winning a first continental title. Their qualification for the 2027 World Cup is another significant achievement for a women’s football programme that has grown rapidly in recent years.

Morocco started with greater attacking purpose in front of an expectant crowd and put South Africa under early pressure. They almost opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Sanaa Mssoudy rose to meet a dangerous cross, but her powerful header cleared the crossbar by a narrow margin.

South Africa responded quickly. A minute later, Thembi Kgatlana found space to test the Moroccan defence, although her first attempt also went over the bar as both sides traded promising openings.

Morocco eventually converted their pressure into a goal in the 31st minute. Sakina Ouzraoui reacted fastest inside the penalty area and produced an excellent first-time finish, guiding the ball beyond South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart to score her second goal of the tournament.

The hosts carried their 1-0 advantage into half-time, but South Africa were given an even greater challenge soon after the restart.

Six minutes into the second half, Morocco were awarded a penalty after South Africa were judged to have committed a foul inside the area. Hanane Ait El Haj accepted responsibility and converted calmly from the spot to double the hosts’ lead.

With their campaign in danger, Banyana Banyana increased the pressure and pushed more players into attack. Their efforts were rewarded in the 67th minute when Kgatlana created room on the left before striking fiercely past the Moroccan defence to make it 2-1.

The goal gave South Africa renewed belief and turned the final stages into a closely fought contest. Banyana Banyana continued to press for an equaliser, testing Morocco’s defensive shape and forcing the hosts to stay focused.

Morocco held firm, defending with discipline and composure to restrict South Africa’s ability to create clear chances. Despite the sustained pressure, the Atlas Lionesses protected their narrow lead until the final whistle.

The result sends Morocco into the last four of the competition and represents another important stage in their bid to win the WAFCON title on home soil. It also confirms their participation at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.

Morocco will play again in the semi-finals on Wednesday, 12 August, with a place in the WAFCON final at stake. Their victory over one of Africa’s most experienced women’s teams will give them increasing confidence as they pursue continental success.

South Africa’s tournament ends with defeat despite their determined second-half response, while Morocco continue their campaign with both the WAFCON trophy and a place among Africa’s representatives at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup now in sight.